Steering Group

Ana Clemente (Spokesperson) is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt. Cognitive neuroscientist and accomplished musician, she uses music as a model domain to uncover the computational and neuropsychological mechanisms of human cognition and behaviour, with a particular focus on expertise and creativity. In her capacity as Spokesperson of PostdocNet, she is committed to strengthening communication and visibility, advocating for fair and sustainable working conditions, building a more connected and supportive network, and ensuring continuity and transparency. She can be reached at: spokesperson@postdocnet.mpg.de.

Miriam Kretschmer (Deputy Spokesperson) is a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry. She is part of the Department of Genes and Environment where she focuses on the impact of stress signaling on the epigenome during neurodevelopment. She is commited to improve interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration of early stage reserachers within the Max Planck Society to enable professional growth. She can be reached at: deputy.spokesperson@postdocnet.mpg.de

Robert Middeke-Conlin (General Secretary) is a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology in Jena, Germany, where he examines cognition, knowledge, and collective decision making in ancient Mesopotamia and is busily cataloging and preserving the Peter Damerow Nachlass. Robert has written two books, “The Making of a Scribe: Errors, Mistakes and Rounding Numbers in the Old Babylonian Kingdom of Larsa”, and "Knowledge, Literacy, and Elementary Education in the Old Babylonian period”. As General Secretary, Robert will endeavor to facilitate continued representation throughout the current network, expand representation to institutes that lack postdoctoral representation, and improve communication within and between postdoctoral networks. He can be reached at: general.secretary@postdocnet.mpg.de

Angela Albi (BMS Representative) is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Collective Behaviour at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour. Her research explores the mechanisms and ecological significance of how and why animals move together, and how individual interactions shape collective behaviour. For her research she is studying predator-prey interactions between groups of blacktip reef sharks and large fish schools in the Maldives. Using detailed tracking technology and behavioural analysis, she aims to reveal new insights into predator hunting strategies and prey collective responses in their natural environments. She can be reached at: bms.rep@postdocnet.mpg.de

Yuchen Bai (CPTS Representative) is a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry. His research lies at the interface of artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and Earth system science, with a particular focus on LiDAR-based forest analysis, wildfire prediction, and environmental data integration. He works on developing robust and scalable approaches to better understand vegetation structure, ecosystem dynamics, and climate-related disturbances through advanced computational methods. As CPTS Representative, he is committed to strengthening communication and exchange across institutes in the Chemistry, Physics, and Technology Section, enhancing the visibility of postdoctoral researchers, and fostering a supportive, collaborative, and internationally inclusive postdoctoral community. He looks forward to promoting interdisciplinary dialogue, professional development opportunities, and transparent representation of postdoc interests within the Max Planck Society. He can be reached at: cpts.rep@postdocnet.mpg.de

Mimi Cheng (HSS Representative) is a cultural historian and postdoctoral researcher at the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz—Max-Planck-Institut, where she is working on a book project about modern maps and mapmaking practices in nineteenth-century China. As a member of the PostdocNet steering group, she is committed to equity and transparency and looks forward to working with the HSS institutes to enhance access to resources and opportunities for professional growth. She can be reached at: hss.rep@postdocnet.mpg.de

Qi Ding (Financial Officer) is a postdoc at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Her research focuses on the biosynthesis of plant natural products, using multi-omics approaches to identify enzymes involved in their pathways and to study their evolutionary mechanism. Qi aims to support Postdocs through workshops and initiatives that foster career development and networking.She can be reached at financial.officer@postdocnet.mpg.de.